Documents
Documents and Procedures
A tenancy rests on a handful of papers, and each answers its own question: what was agreed, what state the flat was in at handover, who paid how much, and who has the right to let it. Keep them in one folder and do not throw them away until the parties have fully settled up, and preferably for a few months after that.
The handover report is written on move-in day but is usually needed on move-out day. That is why it pays to write it in detail.
The table and steps below are based on Chapter 35 of the Russian Civil Code and on common sense. There are no ready-made forms here: every agreement is written for a specific flat, and a lawyer can check your own text.
Document — purpose — what to check
| Document | Purpose | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Residential tenancy agreement | Records what the parties agreed; made in writing | Who the parties are, which home is let, the amount and due date of rent, the term, who else will live there, the terms of the security deposit and repairs |
| Handover report | Confirms when and in what condition the flat was handed over | The date, meter readings, number of keys, notes on the condition of the rooms, signatures of both parties |
| Inventory | Lists the furniture and appliances that stay in the flat | Each item and its condition, whether the inventory matches what you see on site, the parties' signatures |
| Receipts or payment statements | Confirm that the rent and security deposit have been paid | The period and purpose of the payment, who received it, whether the amount matches the agreement |
| Proof of ownership | Shows who has the right to dispose of the flat | Whether the owner's details match the passport of the person signing the agreement or issuing the power of attorney |
| Representative's power of attorney | Confirms that the representative acts on the owner's behalf | Who issued it, whether it allows letting the home and signing the agreement, whether it has expired |
| Written notice of termination | Informs the other side that the agreement is ending | The date it was written, which agreement ends and from what day, the signature and proof that the notice was received |
How to move out and settle up
Check the move-out date against the agreement
Make sure the term is expiring or that the notice of termination was delivered on time. Both sides should know the move-out day well in advance.
Get the flat ready
Clean up, remove your belongings and check against the inventory that the furniture and appliances are in place. Any minor breakdowns you have noticed are better mentioned before the inspection, not during it.
Sign the return report
Walk through the flat with the landlord, compare its condition with the first report and write down any remarks. Record the meter readings and the number of keys returned.
Close out the utility charges
Check which bills for the final period have been paid and which are still due, and write down who will pay them. That way there is no argument next month over "forgotten" payments.
Settle the security deposit
If there are no claims, the deposit is returned as the agreement says. If something is withheld, ask for the reason in writing and get a receipt or statement for the remaining amount.
Why putting it in writing matters
Article 674 of the Russian Civil Code expressly requires a residential tenancy agreement to be made in writing. For both sides this is not a formality: the agreement is the only place where you can later find the answer to a disputed question.
If the agreement is concluded for a term of at least one year, the encumbrance of ownership under that agreement is subject to state registration. For exactly how this is done, check official sources.
Related sections
- Guides
Step-by-step checklists: verifying the owner, the handover report and inventory, utilities, breakdowns, guests and pets, ending the lease and getting the deposit back.
- Examples
Hypothetical situations: a prepayment "for a viewing," a broken appliance, a withheld security deposit, renewal, a room in a shared flat.
- Glossary
A glossary of renting terms: landlord, tenant, short-term tenancy, handover report, security deposit, encumbrance.
- FAQ
Short answers about the form and term of the agreement, the security deposit and utilities, moving out, disputes and scams.
Sources
- Russian Civil Code, Chapter 35 "Tenancy of Residential Premises"
- Russian Civil Code, Article 381.1 "Security Deposit"
- Official Internet Portal of Legal Information (general reference)
This guide summarizes Chapter 35 of the Russian Civil Code, "Tenancy of Residential Premises," and Article 381.1 on the security deposit. The rules change from time to time, so before signing, check the current version on the official legal information portal and the text of your own agreement, and if a dispute arises, talk to a lawyer.